Method of feeding glass.



No. 814,773. PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906. H. L. DIXON & G. A. MARSH. METHODOF FEEDING GLASS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG-5. 1904. RENEWED AUG. 1, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES; /1v1 /v TORS 15 ,4 TIORNE V5,

No. 814,773. PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906. H. L. DIXON & G. A. MARSH. METHODOF FEEDING GLASS.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.5. 1904. RENEWED AUG. 1, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

MID

INVENYORS WIY NESSES:

PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906. H. L. DIXON & G. A. MARSH.

METHOD OF FEEDING GLASS.

APPLIOATION FILED DE0.5. 1904. RENEWED AUG. 1, 1905.

5 SHEETSSHEET 3.

IN VENTOHS J-/. of. M

A TTOHNE rs W/ TNESSES:

No. 814,773. PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906. H. L. DIXON & 'G. A. MARSH.

METHOD OF FEEDING GLASS.

APPLICATION FILED DEC.5. 1904. RENEWED AUG. 1, 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 )NI ENTORS 5 f 19 m l'V/TNESSES PATENTED MAR. 13, 1906.RSH.

H. L. DIXON & .G. A. MA

METHOD OF FEEDING GLASS. APPLICATION FILED no.5. 1904. RENEWED AUG. 1,1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

INVENTORs a. ATT gRNEYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HENRY L. DIXON AND GEORGE'A. MARSH. OFPITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS To AUTOMATIC MACHINE GLASS COMPANY,OF PITTSBURC, PENNSYLVAN A, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA;

METHOD OF FEEDING GLASS.

To all whom it may concern;-

Be it. known that we, HENRY L. DIXON and GEORGE A. MARSH, of Pittsburg,Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Method ofFeeding Glass, of which the following is afull, clear, and exactdescription, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, formingpart of this specification, in which Figure 1 is a sectional sideelevation showing one form of apparatus for carrying out our invention.Fig. 2 is a sectional top plan of the same. Figs. 3 and 4 are detailviews of the shutter. Fig. .5 is an enlarged detail plan view of thecut-off plate; Fig. 6 is a centralcross-section of the same. Figs. 7 and8 are detail views of the blow-out. Figs. 9 and 10 are similar detailviews showing another form of theblow-off. Fig. 11- is a verticalcross-section showing another form of blowoff plate. Fig. 12 is a topplan View of the middle plate of Fig. 11. Fig. 13 is ,a top plan view ofthe lower plate. Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modifiedform of apparatus. plan view of Fi 14. Fi 16 is a sectional sideelevation 0% another orm of apparatus, and Fig. 17 is a sectional topplan of the same. Fig; 18 is a top plan of a gathering device arrangedfor carrying out our method. Fig. 19

is a sectional side elevation of the same, and; Figs. 20 and 21 aredetail views of the blowoff late of Figs. 18 and 19.

ur. invention' relates to glass in separated receptacle into mo tacles.

' The object of the invention is to rovide an improved method for outingoff t e lass taken from the furnace or rece tacle wit out crizzling theglass and wit out forming threads or portions which will injure theappearance o the article formed from the portion of glass cut off. I

To that end our invention consists in cutthe feeding of ortions from afurnace or ds or small cups or recepting off the glass by directingagainst it a current of fluid, preferably a gaseous fluid, such t asair, superheated steam, &c. I

The invention also consists in simultanego ously tlirecting the fluidagainst a stream of glass on different sides thereof, and, further,

in driving the fluid against the stream in such 1 a manner as to cause aswirl,1,-and thus give a Specification of Letters Patent.

Fig. 15 is a sectional top' Patented March 13, 1906.

Application filed December 5, 1904. Renewed August I, 1905. Serial No.272.194.

twisted action, which will rapidlyand effectually sever the stream. 7

The invention further consists in opening a quick-acting air-valve whichwill direct the gaseous blast against the stream and then automaticallycutting it off, and, further, in the combinations. of steps hereinafterdescribed and claimed.

In. the drawings, referring to the form of Figs. 1 to 41, inclusive, 2represents a glasstankfurnace, which is provided with a small forehearthor projecting portion 3, overhanging one end of the furnace. The glasslies in thisforehearth at such a height as to give a small head to theglass to cause it to flow down through the outlet in the bottom. Thebottom of this forehearth may be made of refractory material or metal,as shown at 4, and is providedwith a downwardly-tapering hole. Thisrefractory bottom is supported on an iron or steel plate 5, having alarger hole through which the downward extension of the refractorymaterial extends. The iron plate 5 is provided with internal sidegrooves or uideways open at its ends and into which sli es the blow-ofldevice. This blow-off device consists of a metal plate or platesarranged with a central hole and a slit surrounding the hole, throughwhich air is forced under pressure to cut off the glass. In the blow-offdevices shown in Figs. 1 to 4 two aplates are used, 6 and 7, the upperplate having a hole arranged to receive a-metal plug 8, which ispreferably circular, and provided with a downwardly and inwardlyinclined lower face of conical-shape, which serves to give the enteringair-blast a downward angle as it strikes the glass stream. The object ofthis is to prevent the air from blowin upwardly into the stream, andthus blasting t glass upwardly and within the forehearth, formingair-bubbles and iniuring the glass. The lower plate 7 is preferablyprovided with side shoulders on which the top plate rests, leaving anannular cavity 9 between them into which the air may be led through aflexibleconnection 10. (Shown in Fig. 1.) Below the plug 8 the lowerplate is provided with an annular boss 11, the upper face of which isalso preferably inclined downwardly and inwardly to the central. hole.In the preferred form of our invention where the swirling action iscaused we form the boss 11 with a series of inclined or tangentialair-passages 12, as shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8, so that the air flows inunder pressure in a non-radial direction and gives a twisting action tothe glass stream, which greatly aids in cutting it off.

The stream of glass flowing down through the bottom of the forehearthand through the blow-off device may be received there in a mold or acup. These molds or cups are preferably placed on an endless carrier,such as a rotary table, and are successively brought into position belowthe stream of glass. In Figs. 1 and 2 we have shown receiving-cups 13,which set in holes in arms 14, projecting from a rotar table 15. Thistable rests upon ball-bearings 16 and is rotated by a driving-shaft 17,having a bevel-wheel 18, intermeshing with a bevel-wheel 19, secured tothe table. The gearing in this case is preferably of intermittent form,which will stop each cup as it comes into alinement with the stream ofglass and again start the table into motion after a predetermined periodof time. I

In order to give a quick blast for cutting off, we preferably employ anelectric valve system which will admit the blast after the proper amountof glass has passed through the blow off device and then quickly shutoff the blast. In the form shown a standard 20 extends verticallythrough a hole in the table and is provided with an arm 21, supportingan electromagnet 22, having an armature with a stem 23 connected to apiston-valve movable in a valve-casing 24. A spring is provided in theupper part of this casing, which normally forces the valve down toclosed position, this valve controlling the air passing in through pipe25. In this form the hot glass is used as a art of the circuit, so thatas it contacts wit the cup or mold the circuit will be completed and ahigh-tension current will actuate the electromagnet either directly orindirectly and open the valve against the pressure of the spring. As thehot glass is a poor conductor, we preferably employ a relay system,sothat the small current passing through the glass will throw in aheavier current to actuate the valve. In the form shown the high-tensioncurrent passes in through the conductor 26 to the iron plate 5 and thenthrough the plug and through the hot glass after it contacts with thecup. From the cup it passes to the table and thence through the slidingcontact 27 and back through the conductor 28 and the relay 29. As theglass contacts with the cup the relay will be energized and will actu--- ate the armature 30, and thus close the c1r-- cuit through theconductor 31.

A current of low tension and greater amperage will then pass'through thewire 31, through the electromagnet 22, and back through the conductor32. The magnet will then draw down its armature against the action ofthe spring for the valve and open the valve, admitting air underpressure to the blow-off device. As soon as this air cuts off the glassthe high tension current will be cut off, and this will in turn out thelow-tension circuit and deenergize the electromagnet, when the springwill at once snap the air-valve closed. A qkiliick cutting-blast is thusadmitted to and s ut off from the glass. The table then begins to turn,and on it we provide a series of cams 33, which are the same in numberas the cups and which as the cup which has been filled leaves thefilling-point act upon the downwardly-projecting stem 34 of aspring-pressed air-valve 35, to which air is supplied at a lowerpressure through pipe 36. The air passes from the valve through pipe 37,which leads into the main supply-pipe at a point between the valve 24and the blowoff device. This air will act to support glass within theoutlet-hole and prevent or retard its downward flow until the next cuphas come into registry. As the next cup comes to the filling positionthe stern 34 drops off the cam and the low-pressure air is cut ofi. Thislow-pressure air system may or may not be employed, depending upon thespeed of operation. If the table is turned rapidly and one cup isbrought into place shortly after the filled cup leaves the fillingposition, this low-pressure system will not be necessary, as itrtakes aperceptible time for the glass to reach the level of the next cup afterit has been out off. If the operation is slower, we preferably use thislow-pressure system, and

IOC

we may also employ a shutter to hold the airpressure within the blow-01fdevice, and thus 7 enable it to more effectually balance the head of theglass. Thus in Figs. 3 and 4 we show a horizontal oscillating shutter 38mounted on a stem 39 and having an arm 40 arranged to contact with thecup as it comes to filling position. The shutter is normally held inclosed position by a spring 41, and as the cup comes to place it forcesthe shutter to one side and opens the hole in the blow-off device at thesame moment that the low-pressure air is cut off. As the cup leaves thefilling position it releases the shutter, which closes as thelow-pressure air is admitted, thus holding the pressure to balance thehead of the glass. The table is preferably mounted upon adjusting-screws42, which rest upon insulators 42, so that the cups may be adjustedtoward and away from the cut-off. This adjustment of the cups withrespect to the cut-ofi enables us to accurately regulate the amount ofglass, since the amount of glass is determined by the distance betweenthe cut-ofi and bottom of the cup, as the glass is severed at thecutroff the instant the glass entering the cup touches the bottom of thecup and completes the electric circuit, as previously described." 1

Insulation is provided at 43 between the bevel-wheel 19 and the table,also in the pipe 36 at 44, at the bottom of the standard 20, as shown at45, at the joint 46 of pipe 25, and at the flexible connection 10, whichis preferably of rubber. The track on which the table travels is alsopreferably insulated from the standards, as shown at 47.

In the form of blow-ofl device shoWn in Figs. 5 and 6 the plug 8 is ofporous material, such as wood or plaster, and a liquid, such as water,is supplied to this plug by an annular channel 48. The water is fed tothis channel through the pipe 49 and passage-ways 50 and 51. Thisliquidwill seep through the porous plug, and gases will be generated by theheat of the glass which will tend to protect the plug and lengthen itslife. When the plug becomes injured in any of the forms, the blowoffdevice may be pushed out and a similar device pushed into place.

In the form of Figs. 9 and 10 in addition to providing the lower plate 7with thetangential air-slots we also form similar slots in the lowersurface of the plug 8*. The slots of the plug are preferably staggeredwith those of the lower plate, as shown in Fig. 10, to increase theswirling action. This double set of slots is not necessary, however, aswe have found that a single row of slots will efiectually twist and cutoff the glass stream.

In the form of Figs. 11, 12, and 13 a blow-. off device is formed ofthree platesnamely, an upper plate 6 alower plate 7 and intermediateplate 52. In this form a metal plug 53, of steel or other metal, issecured into the upper plate, while the intermediate plate is providedwith a closed liquid-channel 54, through which a cooling fluid, such aswater, is circulated. This channel is at such a distance from the plugand the glass that the plug will be maintained at such heat that theglass will not stickthereto and at the same time prevent chilling of theglass unduly. In this form, as in the other forms, the airis preferablysupplied to the annular cavity 9 by oppositely-extending channels 55,leading from the air-inlet hole 56. I

In Figs. 14 and 15 the blow-0H device may be the same as that of Figs. 1and 2 except that the low-pressure air system is done away with, theelectric valve is operated in a different manner, and the air-blast isfed in through a swivel-pipe at the end of the blow-ofl' instead of theside. In this form the air-pipe 25 leads to a spring-pressed pston-valve 24?, from which the air passes through pipe 10 into an elbowconnection 57 at the end of the blow-ofi device. This elbow may beturned to one side when the blow-ofl device is ,changed. In this formthe electroniagnet 24? is connected to the valve, as before, while thearmature carries an arm 58, arranged to act upon a swinging contact 59,which closes the circuit through another electromagnet 60.

stem 79, the one friction-disk will In this form the rotary table 15 isprovided w th turn ng sleeves 61, in each of which is plvoted an arm 62,carrying the cup 13 at its "outer end, while an adjustable weight 63 isprovided upon its inner end. A lock-nut 64 holds its weight in adjustedposition. Each table-sleeve 61 is mounted in a bearing 65 on the tableand is provided-with a toothed wheel 66, arranged to intermesh withteeth 67 at the opposite side of the table from the fillingpoint toautomatically turn the cup over and drop the glass into a mold orreceptacle. A wire 68, leading from the magnet 24, carries a contact 69,arranged to slide upon a contact-boss on the bearing 65. The currententers this electromagnet through the conductor 70. WVhen the glassenters the cup and in a sufiicient quantity to tilt the .arm 62 againstthe action of the weight, a contact 71 on the arm engages a stationarycontact 72 on the standard 20 and completes the main circuit through theconductor 73, leading tromagnet 60, which is of less resistance than themagnet 24,and from the magnet 60 it passes through conductor 77 to anelectromagnet 78, whose stem 79 has been engaged with a hole in theunder side of the table. This stem is pressed into the hole by a spring80, and when the circuit is completed through the magnet its armature 81is drawn down against theaction of the spring, so as to release thelocking-stem. The magnet 78 is secured to the standard-on which thetable turns, and a conductor 82 leads from it to acontact 83, arrangedto slide upon the bearing for the cup-arm. This contact comes intoengagement at/the same-time with the bearing-contacts with the conductorfrom the magnet 24 so that when the contacts 74 and 75 come together thecurrent will flow through the magnets 60 and 78 instead of through themagnet 24, which is of higher resistance. In this form the table isgiven a rotary motion through a friction driving-gear 84 and bevelgear85. When the table is locked by the turn upon the other until the lockis released. In this form we show a hand-Lever 86 to operate theair-valve, if this becomes necessary. In the operation of this form ofapparatus the table rotates until the cup is brought into fillingposition, when the lock will be pressed to place by the spring. Theglass then flows down into the cup until it overbalances the weight,when the cup-arm will then be tilted and the main circuit completed. Theelectromagnet 24 will then actuate the air-valve and simultaneouslyshunt the current from it through the path of lower resistance includingthe other two electromagnets. An airblast is thus admitted to quicklycut off the glass, and the table is then immediately released and startsto turn. The lock is held in retracted position until the contact 71 ismoved away from the contact 72, when the circuit is broken and thespring-pressed lock travels on the lower surface of the table until thenext locking-recess comes into registry with it. The weight ispreferably arranged so that it will overbalance at a time when theproper amount of glass has passed the blowoff oint.

n the form of apparatus which we show in Figs. 16, 17 two feed-outopenings are provided with blow-off devices, through which the glassflows alternately. Thus when the parts are in the position shown in thedrawings the cup 13 will receive a charge of hot glass, and the nextcharge will be received by the cup 13 through the other opening. Thecups 13 and the cups 13 are mounted on a rotary table 15, driven bymechanism similar to that already described and controlled by similarelectrically-operated devices and circuits, the corresponding partsbeing designated by the same numerals with the exponent x appliedthereto. The cups 13 are capable of an independent horizontal movementother than rotating with the table, the arms 14: being pivoted upon thetable 15", and these arms are arranged to be engaged by a stop 87,mounted on the frame supporting the table 15. A spring 14 normally holdsthe arms 14 in radial position. As the table 15 is rotated one of thearms 14: strikes the projecting stop 87 and deflcets the arm from itsradial position, so that it registers with one of the feed-out andblow-off openings, as shown in Fig. 20. The manner in which the cups arefilled and the blow-off devices operated is the same as that describedin reference to'Figs. 14 and 15. As the table 15 is turned a littlefarther the pin 88 is freed from the cam 15 and the spring 87 retractsthe stoppin 87 and through the lever 89 raises the pin 88, at the sametime actuating the stem 90 of a plunger-valve 91, so as to bring theother port into communication with the air-supply pipe for the otherblow-ofl, and the table is rotated until the cup 13 is brought intoregistry therewith, when the filling and blow-off operations are againrepeated. The cam 15 resets the valve 91 in the proper position forsupplying air for the blow-off employed in feeding the next succeedingcup 13*, and the stop-pm 87 is also projected to stop the arm The 14 andbring it into proper position. obtainin the glass from two sources makesit possible to work more rapidly, since the glass at the feed-outopening which supplies one of the cups is getting into condition for aquick discharge during the period of time the other cup is being filledat the other point. This arrangement does not complicate the member ofthe blow-off device, while the lower member 95 is screwed on andprovided with a screw-plug 96, having the inclined airinlet slots. Anarrow passage-way is left between the bottom of the cup and the plug,so that the air passing from pipe 97 into the cavity 98 will flow inthrough the slots and twist and cut off the glass. This device may beused by hand, the operator passing it into the tank, sucking up theglass within the device. He then shuts off the suction and opens theair-valve to allow the blast to cut ofl the connecting glass as he liftsthe device slightly from the bath. The cup is then taken out and theglass dropped into the mold or other receptacle.

The advantages of our invention result from the simple and effectivemethod of cutting off by the blast of fluid, preferably a gaseous fluid,though a liquid may be used. The glass being inclosed on all sides whenthe cutting-blast is applied, the blast acts quickly and uniformly tocut and twist off the connection, thus doing away with the use ofshears, moving shutters, &c., which rapidly deteriorate and burn out.The method is applicable whether the stream flows out of the furnace orthe lass is sucked into-a cup or taken out in 0t 1er ways. In all suchcases the difficulty has been the severing of the connection, and thisdifficulty is overcome by our cutting-0E method.

Chan es may be made in the form of the blow-ofl device, the gaseousfluid or liquid used, as well as in the other parts of the apparatus,without departing from our invention.

'e claim- 1. The method of severing glass, consisting in directing acurrent of fluid under pressure against the glass whilein a molten orplastic condition; substantially as described.

2. The method of severing glass, consisting in directing a current ofgaseous fluid under pressure against the glass while in a molten orplastic condition; substantially as described.

3. The method of severing glass, consist ing in delivering against theglass while in a molten or plastic condition a current of gaseousfluidunder pressure and at such an angle as to cause a swirl; substantiallyas described.

4. The method of feeding glass from a tank or receptacle, consisting inallowing the glass to flow outwardly through a hole and directing acurrent of fluid under pressure against ICC the side of said stream tosever it; substantially as described.

5. The method of feeding glass from a tank or receptacle, consisting inallowing the glass to flow out from the same in a stream and directing acurrent of gaseous fluid under. pressureagainst the side of the stream;substantially as described.

6. The method of severing a stream of molten. glass, consisting indriving a current of gaseous fluid under pressure against the molten orplastic glass at a downward angle; substantially as described.

7. The method of severing a stream of molten glass, consisting indrivinga current of gaseous fluid under pressure against the molten orplastic glass at a downward an le and a portion of said current in anon-radia direction to cause a swirl; substantially as described. 8. Themethod of severing a stream of molten glass, consisting in directingstreams of gaseous fluid under pressure against diflerent sides of thestream of molten or plastic glass in a non-radial direction;substantially as described.

9. The method of severing astream of molten glass, consisting in drivingagainst said molten or plastic glass a current of gaseous fluid underpressure in a downward and nonradial direction; substantially asdescribed.

10. The method of severing a stream of molten glass, consisting inconfining the stream upon its sides and delivering against the side ofthe confined stream a thin sheet of gaseous fluid under pressure;substantially as I described.

11. The method of severing a stream'of molten glass, consisting inallowing the same to flow through a confining-hole and deliveringagainst the side of the stream aseries of thin currents of gaseous fluidunder pressure;

, substantially as described. I

v 12. The method of severing a stream of molten to flow through aconfining-hole and delivermg against-the side of the stream a series ofthin currents of gaseous fluid under ressure in a non-radial direction;substantial y as described.

. 5 13. The method of cutting off a stream of glass, consisting inallowing the same to flow through an inclosed hole, directing againstthe side of the stream within the hole cur-.

glass, consisting in allowing-the same. 5

rents of gaseous fluid in a non-radial direc, 5 5

tion, and allowin the air to flow down around the stream in a t inannular sheet; substan tially'as described.

14. The method of feedin glass in a tank or receptacle, consisting in alowing the glass 6 o against the side of the stream to sever it, al-

lowing the glass to flow out from another hole in the receptacle, andcutting it off while the stream in theflrst named hole is startingoutward; substantially. as described.

16. The method of feeding glass in a tank .7 5

or receptacle consisting in.presenting*the molds or cups alternately todifferent outletholes in the tank or receptacle, and alternately cuttingoff the streams of glass by directing a current of fluid against them;substantially as described. In testimony whereof we have hereunto setour hands. s

HENRY L. DIXON. GEORGE A. MARSH. Witnesses:

H. M.- CoRwIN,

GEO. B. BLEMING.

